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Gina Lollobrigida

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Luigia "Gina" Lollobrigida was a multi-talented Italian artist who achieved international fame.

Ivo Lollobrigida 2
Ivo Lollobrigida 2

She was a celebrated actress, a model, a photojournalist, and a sculptor. During the 1950s and 1960s, she was one of the most prominent European actresses. Her fame was so great that she became a global sex symbol. Many people at the time called her "the most beautiful woman in the world." At the time of her death, she was one of the last surviving high-profile actors from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Gina Lollobrigida 1991
Gina Lollobrigida 1991

Lollobrigida's career involved many different disciplines and professional transitions. She began with singing lessons and modeling in Rome after moving there in 1945. This led to her participation in beauty contests, including placing third in Miss Italy in 1947. Her acting career started in 1945 at the Teatro della Concordia, which is the smallest "all'italiana" theater in the world. As her film career eventually slowed, she transitioned into a successful second career in photojournalism. She also engaged in politics, running for the European Parliament in 1999 and the Italian Senate in 2022.

Gina Lollobrigida 1979
Gina Lollobrigida 1979

Her film career was marked by both great success and complex legal disputes. In 1950, Howard Hughes signed her to a preliminary seven-year contract. Lollobrigida refused the final terms because she wanted to stay in Europe. This caused Hughes to suspend her and created a legal dispute. This dispute prevented her from working in American movies filmed in the United States until 1959. However, she was still able to work on American productions that were filmed in Europe.

Beatthedevil01
Beatthedevil01

Lollobrigida showcased immense versatility through her various film roles and talents. In the 1955 film "The World's Most Beautiful Woman," she played the Italian soprano Lina Cavalieri. For this role, she sang all the songs and arias from "Tosca" in her own voice.

Gina Lolobrigida in Amsterdam, wereldpremiere, Bestanddeelnr 907-3997 (cropped)
Gina Lolobrigida in Amsterdam, wereldpremiere, Bestanddeelnr 907-3997 (cropped)

She also appeared in major productions like "Trapeze" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Her English-language debut was "Beat the Devil," where she acted alongside Humphrey Bogart. She later starred in "Come September," a romantic comedy that earned her a Golden Globe Award.

Solomon and Sheba-Gina Lollobrigida4
Solomon and Sheba-Gina Lollobrigida4

Throughout her life, she earned numerous prestigious awards for her artistic contributions. She won a Nastro d'Argento, which is an award from the Italian National Syndicate of Film Journalists. She also received the first David di Donatello Award for Best Actress in 1955. In 1961, she won a Golden Globe Award for her leading role in "Come September." Later, she received the Henrietta Award at the 18th Golden Globe Awards. In 2008, she was honored with the NIAF Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Italian American Foundation.

Gina Lollobrigida 1980 (Cropped)
Gina Lollobrigida 1980 (Cropped)

Lollobrigida's work as a photojournalist allowed her to capture significant historical moments. Between 1972 and 1994, she published six collections of her photography. One of her notable titles was "Italia Mia," published in 1973. Her lens captured famous figures such as Audrey Hepburn, Paul Newman, and Salvador Dalí. She also photographed political leaders like Henry Kissinger. A major professional achievement occurred in 1974 when she obtained an exclusive interview with Fidel Castro.

Gina Lollobrigida 1979
Gina Lollobrigida 1979

Beyond her professional achievements, Lollobrigida was known for her philanthropy and personal resilience. In 2013, she donated nearly US$5 million from the sale of her jewelry collection. This money was specifically intended to benefit stem-cell therapy research. She was also a dedicated supporter of Italian-American causes. Her personal life included a marriage to Slovenian physician Milko Škofič, with whom she had one son, Andrea Milko. Even in her 90s, she remained active in public life, attempting to run for the Italian Senate in 2022.

Gina Lollobrigida (Rome, Christmas 1962)
Gina Lollobrigida (Rome, Christmas 1962)
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File:Beatthedevil01.jpg
Beatthedevil01.jpg
File:Solomon and Sheba-Gina Lollobrigida4.JPG
Solomon and Sheba-Gina Lollobrigida4.JPG
File:Ivo Lollobrigida 2.jpg
Ivo Lollobrigida 2.jpg
File:Gina Lollobrigida Fata Turchina.jpg
Gina Lollobrigida Fata Turchina.jpg
File:Gina Lollobrigida 1980 (Cropped).jpg
Gina Lollobrigida 1980 (Cropped).jpg
File:Gina Lollobrigida (Rome, Christmas 1962).jpg
Gina Lollobrigida (Rome, Christmas 1962).jpg
File:Gina Lollobrigida 1991.jpg
Gina Lollobrigida 1991.jpg
File:Gina Lolobrigida in Amsterdam, wereldpremiere, Bestanddeelnr 907-3997 (cropped).jpg
Gina Lolobrigida in Amsterdam,...
File:Gina Lollobrigida 1979.jpg
Gina Lollobrigida 1979.jpg
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